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Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 (2006-2013) reliability

Not enough data

Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 built around 2013: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 models built around 2013 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2006-2013MPVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 2,018 tests of R-Class models registered 2006-2013.

W251 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
25819.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
38724.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
33619.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
17923.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
20426.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
26024.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
31725.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
7720.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

How the R-Class W251 compares

At each age below, see how the R-Class W251 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 92,872 tests across 15 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2013 (12 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
25819.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
38724.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
33619.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
17923.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
20426.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
26024.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
31725.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
7720.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Drivetrain

Worth checking

Inspect the drivetrain carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the R-Class W251.

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.3%
    Dangerous
    3.5%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 19.0% for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251, both built around 2013.

    2,066 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Ford B-MAX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.4%
    Dangerous
    5.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 on these figures.

    14,588 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    Skoda Roomster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    5.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.4%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 on these figures.

    3,044 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  4. 4

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,961 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

12 recalls in all

5 of the 12 R-Class W251 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • The function of the brake booster might be affected due to advanced corrosion in the joint area of its housing.
  • The driver's air bag may have a chemical change to its propellant over time
  • Fuel may leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How R-Class W251 cars have aged

How R-Class W251 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%81012141618Age at MOTBuilt around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.7% (141 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 18.1% (149 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (152 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (152 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (136 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (256 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (242 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (231 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.2% (225 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (207 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (290 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.9% (273 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (272 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (251 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (217 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (180 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (170 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (148 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (142 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (110 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (202 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (173 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (148 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (117 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (92 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (331 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (280 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (238 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (186 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (147 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (391 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (336 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (275 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (207 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (152 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (333 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (253 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (199 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (163 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 20.8% (77 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010
W251 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz R-Class models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz R-Class built around 2013, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W251 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.2%
    Advisory: 69Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.5%
    Advisory: 40Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Minor

    Drive shaft joint cover badly deteriorated

    11.2%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    10.8%
    Advisory: 44Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Drive shaft joint cover split and no longer keeps dirt out

    5.4%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 19 (100% of the times it was found)

Based on 258 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2013 (12 years old), the Mercedes-Benz R-Class W251 (2006-2013) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 258 12-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,018 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz R-Class models first registered between 2006-2013. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.